William Newman Obituary
Bill Newman passed away on March 26, 2020 after succumbing to an extended illness. He resided in the Hilton Head Plantation on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Bill was born in Huntsville, Alabama in August of 1958. At that time, his father, Col. John T. Newman, was working on the early Space Program at nearby Redstone Arsenal. His mother (Jean) was a retired U.S. Army Nurse who served overseas in WWII.
Early in his life, he had his first overseas deployment when his family was stationed in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s. Little did he know at that time, that international residence and travel would become a major part of his life and career. After returning from Europe, his family settled in Northern Virginia. Bill attended JEB Stuart High School, where he was active in many school activities, including the Marching Band and Crew (Rowing) Team. During high school, he developed a passion for restoring antique British sports cars. Bill went on to Virginia Tech to pursue a degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research in the College of Engineering. He was an active member in the Sigma Chi Fraternity and continued as an active participant throughout his lifetime. It was during college that Bill met his sweetheart and future wife, Cheryl Augustin.
Bill and Cheryl were married in 1984, with their reception held at the Potomac Boat Club in Georgetown, Washington, DC. This was the same boat club Bill competed at while a member of his high school crew team. His career as a Sales Engineer with Goulds Pumps Inc. took the couple to Houston, Texas, where their daughter, Chrissy, was born in 1990. Soon after, his lifetime international professional adventure commenced. It started when he sold one of the largest single orders ever for his company, overseas to Thai Olefin. This project was the catalyst for he and his family’s move to Bangkok, Thailand in 1994, and later after a promotion, to Singapore in 1997.
Bill’s position as Vice President of Sales & Service for ITT Fluid Technology, Asia Pte Ltd, mandated responsibility for a huge territory and much travel. The countries as far north as China, as far south as New Zealand, and as far west as India were his to develop and maintain relationships. Huge disparities and cultural differences did not deter him. He loved meeting and engaging with people worldwide. His two- to three-year expat assignment turned into more than twenty years of living overseas.
Bill and Cheryl’s daughter, Chrissy, grew up overseas. She turned four years old on the plane ride taking them to their new home in Thailand. From nursery school to high school graduation in Singapore, Bill was incredibly proud of her and her accomplishments, both personally and professionally - especially after earning a degree in Engineering from Va Tech - just like her dad.
Bill retired in 2015 and he and Cheryl moved back to the United States, settling in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He was a “larger than life” sort of guy. He loved doing magic tricks, driving his 1953 MG TF, and meeting people - all people - from tourists at local restaurants to golfers passing by just outside the back door. Bill never met a stranger. He had a unique set of people skills that made him memorable - as evidenced by the many notes of condolences sent from all over the world (from Great Britain to Bhutan to New Zealand) - he would have loved that!
Bill is survived by his wife Cheryl Newman of Hilton Head, SC, daughter Chrissy Newman of Arlington, VA, brother Bob Newman (Jan) of Baldwin, MD , and sister Betty Emison (Dave) of Lakewood Ranch, FL. Funeral arrangements are pending due to the Coronavirus situation. A memorial service and burial will be held in Crimora, VA, at Trinity Lutheran Church at a future date. The family requests any donations be made to a charity of your choice.